Job Description

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated Highly Specialist Healthcare Science Practitioner / Clinical Scientist/Echocardiographer to work as part of our friendly team providing a diagnostic Cardiology and Respiratory service to both in-patients and out-patients. We welcome suitable applicants looking for either full-time or part-time work. The principal hospitals within County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust are Darlington Memorial Hospital, The University Hospital of North Durham, Bishop Auckland Hospital and Shotley Bridge Hospital. The Cardiology & Respiratory Investigations Units comprise a team of approximately 40 staff who provide a broad range of invasive and non-invasive procedures including echocardiography, stress echocardiography, trans-oesophageal echocardiography, diagnostic angiography, pacing implant / follow-up, complex device follow up, tilt testing and nerve conduction studies. We are committed to providing learning and development opportunities; we actively encourage and support all appropriate professional development. The hospital base for this post is Darlington Memorial Hospital.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will work as part of a team in the busy Cardio-Respiratory departments. They will be Highly specialist in echocardiography and will have a responsibility for the delivery of the highest quality echocardiography services within their designated team. They will work closely with colleagues to ensure that protocols and procedures meet local and national requirements for good practice and service delivery. They will perform a range of cardiac and other Physiological investigations, and produce evidence-based clinical reports. They will provide training to other healthcare professionals and students and will supervise junior staff, as well as deputise for more senior staff on occasions.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented
Full s can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months)
Details
Date posted
05 September 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
47,810 to 54,710 a year per annum, pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Reference number
C9439-2526-0463-1
Job locations
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
Job description
Job responsibilities
The candidate will independently perform a range of Cardiac and physiological investigations, specialising in echocardiography, and will derive clinical reports from highly specialist diagnostic procedures. They must have experience of working in a Cardiac Investigations department at Band 6 level and have achieved the minimum academic qualifications in the Person Specification. They must be registered on the AHCS or HCPC register or be on the AHCS Specialist Echocardiography Register
They must also hold a current certificate in Immediate Life Support or willing to undertake within the first 6 months. Job description
Job responsibilities
The candidate will independently perform a range of Cardiac and physiological investigations, specialising in echocardiography, and will derive clinical reports from highly specialist diagnostic procedures. They must have experience of working in a Cardiac Investigations department at Band 6 level and have achieved the minimum academic qualifications in the Person Specification. They must be registered on the AHCS or HCPC register or be on the AHCS Specialist Echocardiography Register
They must also hold a current certificate in Immediate Life Support or willing to undertake within the first 6 months.
Person Specification
Special Requirements
Essential

• Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post

Experience
Essential

• Significant experience in the field of echocardiography, with highly specialist knowledge.
• Experience at specialist level (Band 6 level) or equivalent.
• Experience of working within a Cardiac investigations Unit.
• Experience of a broad range of diagnostic procedures within Cardiology.
• Experience of audit and quality assurance programmes
• Experience of training staff from a range of disciplines.

Desirable

• Experience of Stress echocardiography / trans-oesophageal echocardiography.
• Experience of supervising staff teams
• Experience of service development and change management
• Experience of participating in local, regional and national professional meetings and conferences
• Able to work in a range of clinical environments.
• Experience of implementation and reviewing new services
• Experience of budget management.

Qualifications
Essential

• BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science: Cardiac Physiology or MSc Clinical Science (Cardiac Science) or equivalent, with acceptance onto AHCS / HCPC professional register.
• Or BSC in a relevant Scientific subject and on AHCS Specialist Echocardiography Register.
• British Society of Echocardiography Adult Accreditation or equivalent.
• Immediate Life Support (or willing to undertake this within the first 6 months of employment)

Desirable

• Teaching / mentoring qualification

Statutory Registration
Essential

• Registered with AHCS or HCPC, or on AHCS Specialist Echocardiography register

Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential

• Specialist in the field of echocardiography, able to provide clinical advice to a range of healthcare professionals, as well as patients and carers
• Ability to provide operational leadership for echocardiography
• Organizational skills
• IT skills
• Experience of involvement in programmes of research/audit
• Ability to audit and supervise the work of others
• Ability to prioritise workload
• Good communication skills written and verbal.
• In depth knowledge of pathologies relevant to Cardiology
• Ability to analyse complex information, interpret results and provide accurate reports to Medical staff and other Healthcare professionals within primary and Secondary care.
• Able to provide advice to clinicians.
• Ability to assess patient condition and seek expert assistance when required.

Desirable

• Ability to train other staff of all levels and act as mentor.
• Ability to liaise with other staff both in Primary and Secondary care.
• Able to manage resources within budgetary limits and service requirements.
• Presentation Skills.
• Able to use evidence based practice to ensure quality standards.
• Negotiation skills
• Leadership skills

Person Specification
Special Requirements
Essential

• Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post

Experience
Essential

• Significant experience in the field of echocardiography, with highly specialist knowledge.
• Experience at specialist level (Band 6 level) or equivalent.
• Experience of working within a Cardiac investigations Unit.
• Experience of a broad range of diagnostic procedures within Cardiology.
• Experience of audit and quality assurance programmes
• Experience of training staff from a range of disciplines.

Desirable

• Experience of Stress echocardiography / trans-oesophageal echocardiography.
• Experience of supervising staff teams
• Experience of service development and change management
• Experience of participating in local, regional and national professional meetings and conferences
• Able to work in a range of clinical environments.
• Experience of implementation and reviewing new services
• Experience of budget management.

Qualifications
Essential

• BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science: Cardiac Physiology or MSc Clinical Science (Cardiac Science) or equivalent, with acceptance onto AHCS / HCPC professional register.
• Or BSC in a relevant Scientific subject and on AHCS Specialist Echocardiography Register.
• British Society of Echocardiography Adult Accreditation or equivalent.
• Immediate Life Support (or willing to undertake this within the first 6 months of employment)

Desirable

• Teaching / mentoring qualification

Statutory Registration
Essential

• Registered with AHCS or HCPC, or on AHCS Specialist Echocardiography register

Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential

• Specialist in the field of echocardiography, able to provide clinical advice to a range of healthcare professionals, as well as patients and carers
• Ability to provide operational leadership for echocardiography
• Organizational skills
• IT skills
• Experience of involvement in programmes of research/audit
• Ability to audit and supervise the work of others
• Ability to prioritise workload
• Good communication skills written and verbal.
• In depth knowledge of pathologies relevant to Cardiology
• Ability to analyse complex information, interpret results and provide accurate reports to Medical staff and other Healthcare professionals within primary and Secondary care.
• Able to provide advice to clinicians.
• Ability to assess patient condition and seek expert assistance when required.

Desirable

• Ability to train other staff of all levels and act as mentor.
• Ability to liaise with other staff both in Primary and Secondary care.
• Able to manage resources within budgetary limits and service requirements.
• Presentation Skills.
• Able to use evidence based practice to ensure quality standards.
• Negotiation skills
• Leadership skills

Skills Required